My Book Boyfriend: Catcher Bell

We decided that Thursday needed a little pizazz and stumbled on this meme while hanging out at one of our favorite blogs, A Book and a Cupcake. So we took ourselves over to The Unread Reader to see what it was all about and join the fun. The Unread Reader features this meme on Wednesdays, but we figured moving our participation to Thursday wouldn't hurt anything. We'd love it if you'd leave a comment if you participate in this so we can check out your book boyfriends as well. 

My Book Boyfriend of the Week is Catcher Bell from the Chicagoland Vampires Series by Chloe Neill. 

In my mind, I sometimes see him as Desmond Harrington & other times I see him as David Beckham. Can't go wrong with either one, huh?

Appearance:

* Shaved Head 

* Pale Green Eyes

* Solidly ex-military look about him

* Muscular Body

* Full, Sensuous Lips

* Typically wears an annoyed expression on his face

* Washboard Abs

* Circular Tattoo on his stomach

Why He's My Book Boyfriend:

Catcher is just the right amount of badass, snarkiness, and romantic. I love that one minute he's teaching Merit how to use a sword and the next he's whispering sweet nothings in Mallory's ear. There is just also something about those jerky tendencies of his that make me swoon. At the end of the day, Mallory knows that she has him - body and soul. It is so hot to see a man so committed. He is also quite the athlete with stamina that is unparalleled. Plus, who doesn't want a sorcerer bad boy who now works as a supernatural cop?

Book Review: Twice Bitten

Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3)

By: Chloe Neill

Published by: NAL Trade

Release Date: July 2010

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook

My Thoughts:

Vampires, Shifters, and Magic - oh my! This was by far my favorite book in the Chicagoland Vampires series so far! Everything heats up in this installment - the romance, the action, and the tempers. I couldn't wait to get back to listening to this one every day during my commute. It occupied my thoughts in between drives quite frequently. The fourth book was just released this week and I instantly scooped it up for my Kindle. I cannot say enough good things about this series.

Twice Bitten follows Merit once again as she kicks some major butt, delivers lots of snark, and seeks to help Cadogan House form an alliance with the Apex of the Shifter packs. I suppose that's all in a day's work for the sentinel of Cadogan House. Every time I think I have seen everything Merit has to offer as a character she shows me something else that helps solidify her place in my female character hall of fame. I just love her. She is so strong and isn't afraid to tell it like it is.

Book Review: Some Girls Bite

Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires #1)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Trade

Release Date: 2009

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook

My Thoughts:

I was a little leery of picking up this series. It seems that vampires have been done to death lately. But as a fan of the fanged ones I decided to give this series a try in spite of their horrendous covers and terrible titles. I was a bit nervous when the book began with Merit's transformation from human graduate student to vampire. Those vampires organized into the house system (think feudal structure - complete with lord or lady of the manor) have outed themselves to the general public and are facing discrimination from humans at every turn. There are also a slew of other supernatural beings running around Chicago and the leader of Merit's vampire house just happens to be a hunky blond. Sound familiar? I immediately started thinking that Chloe Neill was channeling Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series and True Blood. I almost stopped at that point, but there was something about Merit that compelled me to stick with it.

I was pleasantly surprised that once I got over the similarities to Sookie and her crew that this story really started to grown on me. Merit is an intriguing character whose transition and vampire abilities are somewhat of an anomaly. I loved watching her interact with the other supernaturals as she struggles to make the transition from her old life into her new one. She is such a strong, kick butt kinda girl. I want to be her when I grow up! Who doesn't want a toned body, super strength, and a sword? Plus, all the hottest male vamps follow her around like puppies. I love Merit's snarky nature and her refusal to allow the men to push her around. Her relationships with Ethan and Morgan were some of my favorite aspects of the book. I also was a fan of the friendship between Merit and Mallory. I can't wait to see what happens with Mallory's sorcery in future books.

Book Review: Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)

Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL

Release Date: May 3, 2011

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult

My Thoughts:

This will perhaps be one of the shortest reviews I have ever written. I had to wait for the tears to dry so I could see to type. However, I do not want to spoil this read for anyone. I will simply suggest that tissues remain close at hand. I am totally in favor of trusting an author's vision for their characters and story lines, but Hard Bitten was a difficult one for me to swallow. Be prepared to laugh, cry, throw things, and sit on the edge of your seat for this one.

Chicago is once again being plagued by an unknown source. This time a white pill, V, is being given out to drug vampires into a state where they lose all inhibitions. Feeding frenzies and violence break out throughout the city causing the humans to mistrust their fanged neighbors even more. Can Merit and the Cadogan vamps find out who is behind the mess and restore the city's peace?

Book Review: Friday Night Bites

Friday Night Bites (Chicagoland Vampires #2)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Trade

Release Date: September 2009

Buy it at Amazon

Source: Library

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook

My Thoughts:

Please don't judge these books based on their cheesy titles and covers. I promise that they are well worth the read. Vampire and mystery fans will really take to this series. There are some romances brewing as well, but these are not romance novels so it's all been very PG-13 thus far, but I predict that Merit's love life will pick up as the series progresses. These books have become my current guilty pleasure. I keep devouring them like candy. I love losing myself in Merit's world of butt-kicking, black leather, katanas, and hot vampires and supernaturals. Ethan, Morgan, and Catcher are sure to make your heart race.

This is a solid second novel to move the series forward - there were more loose ends in this book than the first. I was grateful that I already had book three sitting in my jeep waiting to go. I am also a total nerd and found this website for Cadogan House that made me so excited. 

Book Review: Drink Deep

Drink Deep 
(Chicagoland Vampires #5)

By: Chloe Neill

Published By: NAL Trade

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

Page Count: 321

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult

Oh. My. Goodness. Review over. 

Seriously, I don't even know how to articulate how much I LOVED this book. Hard Bitten was such a difficult read for me - I know lots of other fans were feeling the same way when that one was completed. Deep down I knew that I just needed to trust Chloe's vision for her characters, but it sure was difficult not to be apprehensive about this one. However, in true Chloe Neill fashion she totally delivered and this is my favorite book in the series thus far. I am so glad I didn't let my frustration and emotion over the last book ruin the series for me. This one was so worth the patience. However, I do have to whine for a moment that the next book isn't coming out until August 2012. Seriously? Yes, I realize Chloe can only write so fast and books have a long process to undergo before they are ready to hit the shelves, but I honestly don't know what I am going to do with myself as I wait. I might reread the first five books to console myself - that's how much I love this series.